Vocalist Rob Birch and DJ)/producer Nick Hallam founded their Gee Street recording studio and record label with money they were given to leave their London flat and, dispensing with using a backing band, travelled to early gigs on public transport.
They recorded their debut album, 33-45-78 in 1989 on a shoestring budget, with DJ Cesare, drummer Owen If and backing vocalist Cath Coffey. In 1990, "Elevate My Mind" became first British hip hop single to reach the United States R&B record chart. However, in the emerging UK alternative dance scene, it took an alliance with the Jungle Brothers to ensure chart success for Supernatural. Remix work for U2, PM Dawn, Queen Latifah, The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, Monie Love and Electronic followed.
Their live band included singers Andrea Bedassie and Verona Davis, and they were one of the few hip hop acts to play at rock music festivals at the time. Stereo MCs' mainstream breakthrough came in 1992 with the album Connected, which contained the hit singles "Connected", "Step It Up", "Creation", and "Ground Level", and also won them the BRIT Awards for Best Group and Best Album.
The follow-up to Connected did not appear for almost a decade. Further remix duties for Madonna and the Jungle Brothers in 1998 kept the Stereo MCs' name in the limelight. Madonna went on to use the Stereo MCs remix of "Frozen" as the basis of the live arrangement of the song on her 2001 Drowned World Tour.
2001 saw the release of Deep Down & Dirty, followed by a tour including slots opening for the recently re-united Jane's Addiction. Their sixth studio album, Double Bubble, was released in July 2008, followed by their seventh album, Emperor's Nightingale, in August 2011.
Traffic
Stereo MC's Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't stop the traffic in my mind.
Free man, clear thoughts.
Are you ready to ride with no place to shelter,
Are you ready on?
Are to ready through the valley of shadows
Are you ready to be where nobody goes?
It ain′t easy, learn to swim or learn to sink.
Can′t stop the traffic in my mind.
I can′t keep you out.
The lyrics to Stereo MC's song 'Traffic' represent a deep introspection about the human mind and its ability to be constantly occupied with thoughts, memories, and emotions. The song begins with the powerful statement, "Where you are is where I've been", which suggests that the singer has experienced similar thoughts or emotions to the person he is addressing. The next line, "Can't stop the traffic in my mind", brings forth the theme that occupies the entire song – the unstoppable flow of thoughts that people experience, even when they try to silence their minds.
The song progresses to elaborate on the idea of free will and the power to control one's thoughts. The lyrics suggest that a "free man" will have "clear thoughts" and can be ready to face any challenge without seeking shelter or security. The song then poses a question about being ready to venture into the unknown and face difficult situations. It highlights the fact that the journey might not be easy and one must be prepared to swim or sink, implying that the outcome of the journey is uncertain.
The last few lines repeat the idea that one cannot control the flow of thoughts in one's mind while also acknowledging that the singer cannot keep the other person out of his mind. Overall, the song emphasizes the idea that one must learn to navigate the chaos of the mind to become truly free.
Line by Line Meaning
Where you are is where I've been
I can relate to your current situation because I've experienced it myself in the past.
Can't stop the traffic in my mind.
I can't prevent my thoughts and ideas from constantly flowing through my head.
Free man, clear thoughts.
I'm a liberated individual with a calm and focused mind.
Are you ready to ride with no place to shelter,
Are you willing to take risks and face challenges without any safety nets or protection?
Are you ready on?
Are you prepared and ready to go through with this endeavor?
Are to ready through the valley of shadows
Are you willing to pass through difficult and dark times?
Are you ready to be where nobody goes?
Are you willing to venture into uncharted territory where few have gone before?
It ain't easy, learn to swim or learn to sink.
It's not simple, you must either learn to succeed on your own or fail and drown in the process.
I'm beyond reason, I'm beyond doubt.
I've reached a level of confidence and belief in myself that's beyond rational thought or skepticism.
Can't stop the traffic in my mind.
I cannot suppress or slow down the constant flow of ideas and thoughts in my head.
I can't keep you out.
I am unable to exclude you from my thoughts and feelings.
Writer(s): R. Birch N. Hallam
Contributed by Allison C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.